Ergonomic laundry basket

ABSTRACT

A basket for carrying an item, the basket comprising:
         a proximal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, a distal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, two side panels extending between the proximal panel and the distal panel and each side panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a bottom panel connecting the proximal panel, distal panel and side panels together at their bottom portions;   wherein the side panels are longer than the distal panel and the proximal panel;   wherein each of the two side panels comprise a handle; and   wherein the proximal panel comprises a concave surface.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/529,958, filed Sep. 01, 2011 by Craig Souza for ERGO-SLING[TM] LAUNDRY BASKET (Attorney's Docket No. SOUZA-2 PROV), which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to household goods in general, and more particularly to an improved ergonomic laundry basket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carrying laundry around a single family home, multi-unit dwelling or to and from a Laundromat is a common task. Many variations of conventional laundry baskets have been developed to assist with this task, yet most remain subject to several shortcomings. In particular, conventional laundry baskets can become very heavy and cumbersome to carry when loaded with laundry, and consequently are often difficult to grasp, lift and hold. Accordingly, a user must often exert a significant amount of effort to lift and hold a loaded laundry basket, and the exertion of that effort can sometimes lead to muscle strain or other bodily injury.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a novel improved laundry basket which is easier to grasp, lift and hold so as to reduce the amount of effort required to carry a laundry basket and to reduce the chance of muscle strain or injury.

An additional problem associated with prior art laundry baskets is that they can be difficult to maneuver through doorways and other narrow spaces as a result of the design and/or configuration of the basket and the position of the handles thereon.

Looking now at FIGS. 1-4, there are shown four conventional laundry baskets 5. Maneuvering through a doorway while carrying conventional laundry baskets 5 presents a particular challenge for many people. The problem commonly occurs because conventional laundry baskets are typically designed with handles 10 at or near the extremities of the longest dimension 15 of the basket, which is typically configured to be substantially wider than the carrier's torso. Accordingly, a person carrying a conventional laundry basket must place his or her hands well outboard of his or her torso. In many cases, however, a doorway through which the carrier desires to pass is not wide enough to accommodate the longest dimension of the laundry basket, let alone wide enough to accommodate the conventional laundry basket and the added width of the carrier's hands and forearms that are disposed outboard of the widest dimension of the basket.

As a result, the carrier of a conventional laundry basket will often be forced to shift his or her grip on the laundry basket from his or her preferred position or will be forced to turn sideways or otherwise contort his or her body in order to pass through the doorway. Neither of these alternatives is particularly attractive, as they can cause the carrier to either drop the basket or assume a less natural carrying position leading to additional strain and potential injury. Shifting one's grip on the basket or turning sideways may also distract the carrier, which can create a potentially dangerous situation as such movements are often undertaken at a doorway in close proximity to a staircase (e.g., at a doorway to a staircase leading to a basement laundry facility).

Accordingly, another object of the invention is to provide an improved laundry basket that is more easily maneuvered from location to location, and particularly, through doorways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects of the present invention are addressed by the provision and use of a novel ergonomic laundry basket, also sometimes called the Ergo-Sling™ laundry basket. The Ergo-Sling™ laundry basket includes specially designed handles and a contoured panel configured to rest against a user's body to allow a user to more easily lift, hold and carry the Ergo-Sling™ laundry basket. The Ergo-Sling™ laundry basket is also specially configured to make it easier for the user to navigate narrow spaces (such as doorways) making the Ergo-Sling™ laundry basket easier to maneuver and more user-friendly than conventional laundry baskets.

In one preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a basket for carrying an item, the basket comprising:

a proximal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, a distal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, two side panels extending between the proximal panel and the distal panel and each side panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a bottom panel connecting the proximal panel, distal panel and side panels together at their bottom portions;

wherein the side panels are longer than the distal panel and the proximal panel;

wherein each of the two side panels comprise a handle; and

wherein the proximal panel comprises a concave surface.

In another preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a method for carrying an item in a basket, the method comprising:

providing a basket for carrying the item, the basket comprising:

-   -   a proximal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, a         distal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, two side         panels extending between the proximal panel and the distal panel         and each side panel having a top portion and a bottom portion,         and a bottom panel connecting the proximal panel, distal panel         and side panels together at their bottom portions;     -   wherein the side panels are longer than the distal panel and the         proximal panel;         -   wherein each of the two side panels comprise a handle; and         -   wherein the proximal panel comprises a concave surface;

placing an item in the basket; and

carrying the basket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art laundry basket;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another prior art laundry basket;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of yet another prior art laundry basket;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of still another prior art laundry basket;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the novel ergonomic laundry basket of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the novel ergonomic laundry basket of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of an exemplary construction of a side handle of the novel ergonomic laundry basket shown in FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of an alternate novel ergonomic laundry basket.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning first to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a novel ergonomic laundry basket 105, formed in accordance with the present invention, which invention may also be referred to as The Ergo-Sling™ laundry basket.

Laundry basket 105 generally comprises two side panels 110, a distal panel 120, a proximal panel 125 and a bottom panel 130. Preferably, side panels 110 are longer than distal panel 120 and proximal panel 125. Panels 110, 120, 125 and 130 are generally formed of a lightweight semi-rigid material, such as, for example, several kinds of plastics well known in the art. Panels 110, 120, 125 and 130 may be formed integrally with one another (e.g., through injection molding), or they may be joined with one another by methods known in the art, to form an open-top basket of the sort shown in FIGS. 5 and 8. Side panels 110, distal panel 120 and proximal panel 125 typically meet their adjoining panels at approximately a right angle, and the angle may be rounded on its inside and outside edges. Side panels 110, distal panel 120 and proximal panel 125 generally extend upwardly from bottom panel 130 and may meet bottom panel 130 at approximately a right angle, or at an angle slightly greater than ninety degrees such that the perimeter of basket 105 measured at the top edges (discussed in greater detail below) is greater than the perimeter of the bottom panel 130.

Side panels 110 are approximately rectangular in shape but may have a slightly trapezoidal shape if the perimeter of basket 105 measured at the top edges is greater than that of the bottom panel 130, as discussed above. Side panels 110 may comprise one or more perforations 135, or may be formed without perforations. The top portion of side panels 110 may be formed with top edges 140.

Ergonomic laundry basket 105 further comprises at least two handles 160 formed along the top of side panels 110. Handles 160 are either formed integrally with top edges 140 or may be joined to top edges 140 by ways known in the art. Significantly, handles 160 are configured such that the distal ends 170 of handles 160 are further removed from top edges 140 than the proximal ends 180 of handles 160. In one preferred form of the invention, distal ends 170 of the handles are removed from top edges 140 by vertical risers 171 so as to set the slope of the handles at approximately 30 degrees (see FIG. 7). Handles 160 may also be covered from their distal ends 170 to their proximal ends 180 by a cushioned non-slip covering 190. Cushioned non-slip covering 190 may be formed of foam, memory foam or other materials known in the art. In one preferred form of the invention, the length of handles 160 from their distal ends 170 to their proximal ends 180 is approximately six inches.

In one embodiment, top edges 140 may also be formed with depressions 150 under handles 160, so that it is easier for a user to grip handles 160, as will be discussed in further detail below.

Distal panel 120 may be formed with a top edge 200 similar to that of top edges 140.

Distal panel 120 may also be provided with a handle 205. Handle 205 is either formed integrally with top edge 200 or may be joined to top edge 200 by ways known in the art. Handle 205 may also be covered with a cushioned non-slip covering 210 similar to that of cushioned non-slip coverings 190.

Proximal panel 125 may be formed with a concave surface 215, which may “hug” the user's hips, waist or abdominal area when the user is carrying ergonomic laundry basket 105. Top portion of proximal panel 125 may be formed with an edge 220 similar to that of top edges 140 of side panels 110 and top edge 200 of distal panel 120. Top edge 220 may also be covered with a cushioned non-slip covering 225 similar to that of cushioned non-slip coverings 190 and 210.

Preferably, top edges 140, top edge 200 and top edge 220 are formed integral with one another.

As previously described, basket 105 also features concave panel 215 on proximal panel 125. Concave panel 215 allows the user to more comfortably carry the basket against the user's body, thereby further distributing the weight of ergonomic laundry basket 105 and the items placed therein. Concave panel 215 may also be fitted with friction-enhancing “gripping strips” (not shown) to lessen the likelihood of ergonomic basket 105 sliding along the user's torso and to increase safety. The increased friction offered by such “gripping strips” serves to reduce the load on user's arms and wrists.

In another embodiment, and looking now at FIG. 8, distal panel 120 may be formed with a convex surface 201 which extends distally from bottom panel 130. Convex surface 201 provides additional space within basket 105.

To lift and carry laundry basket 105, a user may position himself or herself such that the user is facing concave surface 215 of proximal panel 125. User then grasps handles 160 at the tops of side panels 110 and lifts basket 105 such that cushioned non-slip covering 225 on top edge 220 is resting against the user's hips, waist or abdomen.

In some circumstances, a user may find it useful to carry ergonomic laundry basket 105 with only one hand, allowing the other hand to remain free for accomplishing tasks such as opening or closing doors or switching lights on or off. In this circumstance, a user may carry ergonomic laundry basket 105 with one hand by lifting the basket in the manner disclosed above, placing concave surface 215 against the user's waist, hips and/or abdomen and, while holding concave surface 215 against the user, shifting one hand from handles 160 to handle 205.

The position of handles 160 on top edges 140, and the configuration of handles 160, is a significant advance over the prior art. By angling handles 160 such that distal ends 170 are removed from top edges 140, a user's wrists are allowed to remain in a more natural and less stressful position when gripping handles 160 than they otherwise would be if the user was gripping handles 10 of conventional laundry baskets 5 which are not so configured.

Furthermore, by forming handles 160 at an angle, handles 160 also allow a user to transfer some of the weight of the basket and its contents from the arms and wrists of the user to the rest of the body (e.g., to the hips, waist and/or abdomen), via the contact between user and cushioned non-slip covering 225 and concave panel surface 215. These elements cooperate to offer increased comfort for the user. In addition, handles 160 are also covered with cushioned non-slip covering 190 that allow a user to maintain a firm and comfortable grip on handles 160, which are also sized so as to make it easier for a user to grip and hold.

Thus, laundry basket 105 is an ergonomic laundry basket that makes it easier for a user to grasp, lift and hold the basket so as to reduce the amount of effort required to carry a laundry basket and to reduce the chances of muscle strain or injury.

Additionally, laundry basket 105 is an ergonomic laundry basket that makes it easier to maneuver from location to location, and particularly through doorways.

Laundry basket 105 is configured to be carried such that side panels 110 of ergonomic basket 105 extend distally in front of the user. This is a significant improvement over prior art laundry baskets, which are configured to have the longest dimension (e.g., longest dimensions 15 of conventional baskets 5) extending laterally across the user's torso and approximately perpendicular to the user's direction of travel when carrying the basket.

Significantly, by configuring ergonomic basket 105 to have handles 160 at the tops of side panels 110 which extend distally in front of the user while concave surface 215 of proximal panel 125 rests against the user, the user is able to keep his or her arms and hands closer to one another while carrying ergonomic basket 105 than he or she would otherwise be able to if carrying conventional laundry baskets 5 of FIGS. 1-4. This feature reduces the overall carrying width (i.e., the width of the basket plus the width of user's hands and/or forearms) of the ergonomic basket 105, thus making it easier for the user to maneuver. In particular, this feature of laundry basket 105 makes it significantly easier for a user to pass through doorways while carrying laundry basket 105 and without having to shift his or her grip from the preferred position or be forced to turn sideways or otherwise contort his or her body in order to pass through the doorway.

Modifications Of The Preferred Embodiments

It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art while remaining within the principles and scope of the present invention. 

1. A basket for carrying an item, the basket comprising: a proximal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, a distal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, two side panels extending between the proximal panel and the distal panel and each side panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a bottom panel connecting the proximal panel, distal panel and side panels together at their bottom portions; wherein the side panels are longer than the distal panel and the proximal panel; wherein each of the two side panels comprise a handle; and wherein the proximal panel comprises a concave surface.
 2. The basket according to claim 1 wherein the distal end of each handle is removed from the longer panel by a vertical riser.
 3. The basket according to claim 2 wherein the height of the vertical riser is configured to create a thirty degree angle between the handle and the side panel.
 4. The basket according to claim 1 wherein each handle is approximately six inches in length.
 5. The basket according to claim 1 wherein each of the side panels comprise depressions below the handles.
 6. The basket according to claim 1 wherein the handles are covered by a cushioned non-slip covering.
 7. The basket according to claim 1 wherein the distal panel comprises a handle.
 8. The basket according to claim 8 wherein the handle is covered by a cushioned non-slip covering.
 9. The basket according to claim 1 wherein each of the side panels comprises at least one perforation.
 10. The basket according to claim 1 wherein the top edge of the proximal panel is covered by a cushioned non-slip covering.
 11. The basket according to claim 1 wherein gripping strips are mounted to the concave surface of the proximal panel.
 12. The basket according to claim 1 wherein the distal panel comprises a convex surface.
 13. A method for carrying an item in a basket, the method comprising: providing a basket for carrying the item, the basket comprising: a proximal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, a distal panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, two side panels extending between the proximal panel and the distal panel and each side panel having a top portion and a bottom portion, and a bottom panel connecting the proximal panel, distal panel and side panels together at their bottom portions; wherein the side panels are longer than the distal panel and the proximal panel; wherein each of the two side panels comprise a handle; and wherein the proximal panel comprises a concave surface; placing an item in the basket; and carrying the basket. 